Things to Do in Orlando - That Are Not Theme Parks

You don't have to just think Disney when you think of things to do in Orlando. A short trip up the I4 Highway from Disney, Universal, Sea World and all the other attractions is Seminole County. In Seminole County you get everything you would in Orlando but at a lower price and with a lot less traffic. They even have the same hotels you would get in the Orlando area here but at a fraction of the price.

Here are some things to do in Orlando without actually being in Orlando.

You can take a cruise down one of the many rivers in Seminole County, the St. Johns River is located here, and it is the longest river in Florida. You can hike or bike one of the wilderness trails and do some bird watching, study the natural wildlife or just take some photos.

There are more that thirty state parks and preserves for you to explore. Most have wooden bridges to take you over wetlands and near natural springs so you can see a small fraction of this ancient side of Florida and maybe catch a glimpse of an Alligator or Turtle sunbathing themselves. If you want to see more of the wetlands you can rent a canoe or kayak and take a trip out into the wild on your own.

While you're visiting; you have to see Big Tree Park which features "The Senator" a Bald Cypress that is over 3,500 years old and Wekiwa (Pronounced Wik-I-Va) Springs State Park and rent a Canoe to explore this lush natural spring.

If nature isn't your thing Seminole County offers "other things to do in Orlando". It has over twelve 18-hole courses for you to play or you can take a leisurely walk through the historic areas of Sanford or Longwood. Walking through one of these small towns will give you an idea of what life was like here a hundred years ago.

You'll see small Antique Shops, Victorian houses and cultural museums. You'll find history in a fully restored vaudeville theater, the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, where you can stop for a minute and catch a play or other show. There are many public art galleries there for your enjoyment, and Seminole County also features "Art in Public Places" which showcases local artists in public buildings.

Seminole County features some of the newest Hotels and other accommodations in Central Florida with the best part being you'll pay up to a third of what you'd be paying to stay closer to Disney and the other attractions and you're still just a short drive from downtown Orlando. So while you're thinking of things to do in Orlando remember Central Florida is more than just Orlando.